11-14 Gearhead Tune Questions

BuiltPowerStrokeTough · Apr 20, 2015

I just purchased Gearheads custom tunes a couple weeks ago for my 2011 F350. Ive got a couple questions on what you guys who have been running the canned H&S tunes and made the switch to Gearhead tunes. I have driven my truck on the H&S tunes for almost 30,000 miles then made the switch.

What max boost are you guys seeing on the performance setting? Before on my H&S tunes, it was definitely more gradual building boost and would maybe only see 25-28 psi max on perfomance. Now with gearhead, my boost spikes up immediately on 50-75% throttle tip in and shoots all the way to 28 instantly. Seems like it spikes really quickly. Does that sound safe or normal for these tunes? I havent even given it 100% throttle yet to know the max, but im sure it will be more than 28 psi.

How would you compare your trans shifting to H&S as far as fiirm shifts go? I can only tell a slight difference in the shifting so far. It seems a little more refined, but definitely has not been stock like as many people have described and as big of a difference as I had hoped. I like the shifting more than the H&S, but I guess I thought it would be stock like when just running light throttle and firm when you need it. Still just seems firm like H&S and occasionally soft shifts which are sometimes there and other times not. And Ive put about 500 miles on it since the tune was loaded with all types of driving styles, city and interstate. Anyone elses seem like this? Do I need to give it more time to relearn?

Overall, I am definitely happy with my purchase and wouldnt go back to the canned tunes. I just wanted to make sure what Im seeing/feeling sounds about right to everyone in their experiences. Thanks again for your input guys!

TrickTruck · Apr 20, 2015

I'm running the 'street' tunes as that's what the folks at gearhead said would give the best mpg.

Have the same concerns as you do about the boost. Pulling a long hill w/ the toyhauler I'm seeing 30psi. EGTs are OK though.

Trans seems happy.

BuiltPowerStrokeTough · Apr 20, 2015

TrickTruck said:
I'm running the 'street' tunes as that's what the folks at gearhead said would give the best mpg.

Have the same concerns as you do about the boost. Pulling a long hill w/ the toyhauler I'm seeing 30psi. EGTs are OK though.

Trans seems happy.

What is the max PSI youve seen so far and does it shoot up a lot quicker than the H&S tunes did? How would you describe your trans shifting? Similar to my description? Thanks for the input!

TrickTruck · Apr 20, 2015

25 on performance and 30 on street. Yea, makes no sense, but that's what it is.

Trans seems good to me. No complaints.

WHY NOT · Apr 20, 2015

Ive been running gear head tunes for quite a while now as I helped test some of the trans tunes before they were out. My truck will see 32 psi at most but most of the time tops out at 30. It will get into boost quick and get you moving. I bet I have at least 15-20K on them and I will tow heavy on street and performance and the truck does well all the time.

BuiltPowerStrokeTough · Apr 21, 2015

So you guys dont think its a problem that it almost immediately spikes to the high 20s on a 75% throttle tip in? I need to see what it will do at 100% throttle, but after seeing the spikes I have been, it was making me nervous compared to what I was used to seeing from the H&S tunes.

WHY NOT · Apr 21, 2015

No, its not like it spikes up then comes back down it jumps up and stays in the power

Gearhead · Apr 21, 2015

The thing that kills the turbos on these trucks is too much boost at too low of an rpm, not just too much boost everywhere. 30 psi is very safe as long as it does it north of 2000 rpms. The issue with some of the first tunes that made it out there was that the turbos were surging and coming apart because the tuning was too aggressive at too low of an RPM. Stock turbos on stock trucks die every day, but stock turbos that surge die even faster.....

BuiltPowerStrokeTough · Apr 21, 2015

WHY NOT said:
No, its not like it spikes up then comes back down it jumps up and stays in the power

Ok good. Just wanted to make sure that the fact that it jumps up almost instantly isnt going to be a problem.

Gearhead said:
The thing that kills the turbos on these trucks is too much boost at too low of an rpm, not just too much boost everywhere. 30 psi is very safe as long as it does it north of 2000 rpms. The issue with some of the first tunes that made it out there was that the turbos were surging and coming apart because the tuning was too aggressive at too low of an RPM. Stock turbos on stock trucks die every day, but stock turbos that surge die even faster.....

Mine is not surging at all. If I had to guess I would say the PSI spikes up 1750 rpms or more in which it would be like 28 psi, but it is instant boost when you put your foot into it which is what was worrying me. That and worried if it was too hard on the rods down low. If this sounds normal for your tunes, then ill just drive it and enjoy it!! Thanks for the help!
:tree:

sootie · Apr 21, 2015

Gearhead said:
The thing that kills the turbos on these trucks is too much boost at too low of an rpm, not just too much boost everywhere. 30 psi is very safe as long as it does it north of 2000 rpms. The issue with some of the first tunes that made it out there was that the turbos were surging and coming apart because the tuning was too aggressive at too low of an RPM. Stock turbos on stock trucks die every day, but stock turbos that surge die even faster.....

So overall turbo rpm is not an issue anymore??

Gearhead · Apr 21, 2015

sootie said:
So overall turbo rpm is not an issue anymore??

What do you mean?

sootie · Apr 21, 2015

Gearhead said:
What do you mean?

shaft speed at 30psi-i believe it was excessively fast? i thought in the past people contributed turbo failures to that...

Gearhead · Apr 21, 2015

Speed doesn't kill as fast as vibration from surge bending the shaft.

Cheap6.7 · Apr 21, 2015

Gearhead said:
Speed doesn't kill as fast as vibration from surge bending the shaft.

Is that specific and to the stocker or is true for all turbos?

Gearhead · Apr 21, 2015

All turbos but the stock 6.7 needs a bearing on both sides of the compressor IMO...

Sterling6.7 · Apr 21, 2015

I was worried about the same thing. I asked them to limit the boost at 26 LBS when I ordered the tunes. I would rather lose some top end power than lose a turbo. I haven't seen higher than 27 on the CTS yet and the trans shifts a hell of a lot better. It does have a 4-5 squeal now though, but I don't think it is tune related.

sootie · Apr 23, 2015

Sterling6.7 said:
I was worried about the same thing. I asked them to limit the boost at 26 LBS when I ordered the tunes. I would rather lose some top end power than lose a turbo. I haven't seen higher than 27 on the CTS yet and the trans shifts a hell of a lot better. It does have a 4-5 squeal now though, but I don't think it is tune related.

that squeal is your trans on the way out...